Health Info

Meniere's Disease

Definition

Meniere's disease is a disorder of the labyrinth in the inner ear that causes
vertigo
,
tinnitus
, and hearing problems. The labyrinth is a system of cavities and canals in the inner ear that affects hearing, balance, and eye movement.

Vestibular Rehabilitation

Your doctor may suggest specific vestibular exercises. These exercises use a series of eye, head, and body movements to get the body used to moving without dizziness. You may work with a physical therapist to learn these.

Therapy

Consider working with a therapist or joining a
support group
. These can help you to cope with your symptoms.

Aminoglycoside therapy to permanently destroy the part of the inner ear that deals with balance

Surgery

Ask your doctor if a Meniett device would be helpful to you. This device provides low-pressure pulses to the middle ear.

Surgical procedures are not always helpful, and include:

Endolymphatic sac decompression—removal of a portion of inner ear bone and placing a tube in the inner ear to drain excess fluid

Labyrinthectomy—destruction or removal of the entire inner ear, which controls balance and hearing

Vestibular nerve section

Prevention

There are no current guidelines to prevent Meniere's disease. However, to help reduce your risk, avoid the following risk factors:

High-salt and high-sugar diets

Excess noise

Excess alcohol

Stress

Smoking

Avoid medications that can be toxic to the ear

RESOURCES

American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery
http://www.entnet.org

Meniere's
http://www.menieres.org

CANADIAN RESOURCES

Meniere's Disease
http://www.menieres-disease.ca

the College of Family Physicians of Canada
http://www.cfpc.ca

References

Meniere's disease.
American Academy of Family Physicians Family Doctor website. Available at:
http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/menieres-disease.html.
Updated March 2014. Accessed August 18, 2014.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.